David Chapfika

In her declaration dated 30 December 2015, Abina had said the marriage between the two had irretrievably broken down because Chapfika had gone to the extent of having children outside wedlock despite the couple having a registered marriage under the Marriage Act (Chapter 5:11).

On 5 July 2018, Loice Matanda-Moyo issued an order separating the couple and ordered them to keep peace with each another.

Chapfika was ordered to pay $2 000 his wife as monthly monetary maintenance, $100 Cimas medical aid and structural routine maintenance of all properties. He was also ordered to allow his wife to have unlimited use of the motor vehicles and unlimited access to the couple’s farmhouse at Hurudza Farm.

Matanda-Moyo also ordered Chapfika to continue paying maintenance for the pair’s child who was still attending university education.

Chapfika was also ordered to award 50% shares in the couple’s firm called Racewin Trading also known as Hurudza Farm in Shamva, a lifetime usufruct of the 200 hectares of the farm which she personally developed and an order of the division and sharing of the matrimonial household property, farm equipment and property.^[1]

School / Education

No information was found on his Junior or High School, or any tertiary education.

Service/Career

Universal Merchant Bank of Zimbabwe Ltd (Unibank)

At one time Chapfika was executive director of the collapsed Universal Merchant Bank of Zimbabwe Ltd (Unibank).

The bank was bought by CFX Merchant Bank Ltd (CFX) in April 2002 after “gross inefficiency and financial mismanagement had been unraveled at the institution”.

In its audited financial statement for the year ended 31 December 2002, CFX said it had taken over an “accumulated loss of nearly $800 million from Universal Merchant Bank Zimbabwe Ltd”.

When Unibank was acquired by CFX, all directors, including Chapfika, resigned and shareholders appointed new management who immediately chalked up $1,9 billion in profit. ^[2]

Politics

In the 2000 Elections, (see A History of Zimbabwean Elections) Mutoko North returned to Parliament:

• David Chapfika of Zanu PF with 17 374 votes,
• Gents Chinomona of MDC with 2 447 votes,
• Leon Chiimba of UP with 372 votes.

In the 2013 Elections, (see A History of Zimbabwean Elections) Mutoko South returned to Parliament:

• David Chapfika of Zanu PF with 20 994 votes or 91.03 percent,
• Mapango Mapengo of MDC–T with 1 810 votes or 7.85 percent,
• Mathew Rukwata of MDC–N with 258 votes or 1.12 percent,

Total 23 062 votes

Chapfika was deputy Finance minister at the time when the RBZ handed out farming implements under the Farm Mechanisation Scheme. ^[3]

He served as the chairperson of the National Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Board. ^[4]

Events

Farm Mechanisation Scheme

In July 2020, David Chapfika was listed, in the BSR of 18 July 2020, as a beneficiary in the 2007 RBZ Farm Mechanisation Scheme, as a result of the Fast Track Land Reform Programme.

The data is analysed by recipients origin:

• Mashonaland provinces had the most beneficiaries, both in terms of numbers and value.
  

Mashonaland East got US$47,5 million,
Mashonaland West US$44,7 million
Mashonaland Central had US$34,2 million.

• Two Matebeleland provinces had a combined total of US$13,9 million.
• Masvingo US$26,4 million,
• Manicaland US$18 million
• Midlands US$14 million.

David Chapfika was listed under the thematic group “Politicians”. According to the list, he got a loan of US$79,936.00. ^[5]

Bankruptcy

In 2020, Chapfika's farm employees accused him of failing to pay their salaries. They further accused him of being incapacitated to the extent of leasing out his farm in Shamva.

A publication reported that Chapfika had leased his farm to a white farmer and that it was underutilized.

When contacted for a comment by the publication, Chapfika rubbished the claims and said he had hired the services of consultants and had not leased the farm. He said:

I did not lease the farm I have only hired the white farmer to come and work for me as a manager. They are some State agents who want the farm and I have been to court about the issue. I never leased the farm, the government is encouraging joint ventures so I decided to work with the white man.

^[6]

ZESA Debt

In 2018, ZESA took Chapfika to the High Court for failing to pay $300 000 for electricity consumed at his farm.

ZESA said it entered into an agreement for Chapfika to be supplied with electricity and in the event of his failure to do so: the plaintiff (ZETDC) would be entitled to disconnect electricity supply, and/or take legal action against him claiming the amount due.

The company said Chapfika had not been paying for electricity consumed and as at 21 September 2016, he was owing ZESA a sum of $307 622, 37.

The power company said that Chapfika has failed, neglected or refused to pay the money despite demand and having admitted his indebtedness on 2 November 2016.

According to court papers, he had agreed to make monthly payments of $17 090, 13, but nothing was paid, which culminated in the court application.

Chapfika, however, disputed the amount being claimed by the power company. He said in the acknowledgment of debt, he never accepted that he owed $307 622, 37. ^[7]

US$20 000 Robbery

In 2016, Chapfika was duped of US$20 000 meant to import a car for his daughter from South Africa.

The suspected conman Marshal Chidawu appeared before Tendai Mahwe facing fraud charges and was remanded on US$200 bail.

Chidawu heard that Chapfika was looking for a vehicle for his daughter.

Together with his accomplice Robert Zuwani, who escaped arrest, Chidawu misrepresented to Chapfika that they were in the business of buying and selling second-hand vehicles from South Africa.

Chidawu advised Chapfika to make arrangements to meet Zuwani, whom he said was based in South Africa.

The late politician travelled to South Africa and met Zuwani, who showed him vehicles in different car sales. Chapfika chose an ML Mercedes Benz 2014 model, which was selling for R281 000 equivalent to $20 200 at the time.

The parties parted ways and agreed to finalise the deal in Harare.

On 22 March 2016, Chidawu, Zuwani and Chapfika met in Harare and a payment of US$2 000 was made to Zuwani through EcoCash.

Chidawu and Zuwani promised to bring the vehicle to Beitbridge the following day. Chapfika instructed his driver to meet Chidawu and Zuwani at the border post and pay the remaining US$18 200.

As planned, Chapfika’s driver went to Beitbridge and gave the pair the money and they promised to deliver the vehicle on 25 March.

Chapfika waited for the delivery of the vehicle but it never came. Chidawu and his accomplice became evasive, prompting Chapfika to report the matter to the police.

Chapfika lost US$20 200 and nothing was recovered. ^[8]

Further Reading

References